axolotl86
New member
- Joined
- Jan 29, 2009
- Messages
- 20
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- Location
- Portland, Oregon
- Country
- United States
A few weeks ago two juvenile axolotls came in the mail. One leucistic and one wild type...both healthy with full, bushy gills. I put them into the tank together and tried separate feedings but soon began to notice the wild type was always standing on top of the leucistic and was much more active, almost aggressively so although I never witnessed any attacks.
A week ago, I got home from work and the leucistic was floating at the top of the tank, missing two feet, a gill, and big chunk from its tail. I immediately removed it from the tank, put it into the "sick bucket" - which is basically a large, clean, white plastic bucket with a filter that hangs over the side - and got it into the fridge. I was doing daily water changes, keeping the fridge dark and quiet, and trying my best to provide a calm healing space, but despite all my precautions by the third day the little one had developed a fungus over the bitten areas - legs and tail.
I immediately came onto this forum and looked up the instructions for salt baths, which I began to do. Things were looking bad...the fungus was isolated but the axolotl was floating, refusing food, and not moving. I continued with the salt baths for a day and then moved to gentler tea baths.
Three days ago, after the salt and tea baths and frequent water changes, the fungus finally cleared. Yesterday he took some blood worms. Today when I checked on him, he swam up to the top of the bucket (where I floated a few plants for shade) and hungrily bit at the water. He ate a whole mouthful of worms and when I came back in later he had done a big poop and was swimming around.
So thank you to this forum, my little buddy seems to have recovered from his attack and, even though he's missing a few limbs, seems to be on the path to health again! Will post pictures soon.
A week ago, I got home from work and the leucistic was floating at the top of the tank, missing two feet, a gill, and big chunk from its tail. I immediately removed it from the tank, put it into the "sick bucket" - which is basically a large, clean, white plastic bucket with a filter that hangs over the side - and got it into the fridge. I was doing daily water changes, keeping the fridge dark and quiet, and trying my best to provide a calm healing space, but despite all my precautions by the third day the little one had developed a fungus over the bitten areas - legs and tail.
I immediately came onto this forum and looked up the instructions for salt baths, which I began to do. Things were looking bad...the fungus was isolated but the axolotl was floating, refusing food, and not moving. I continued with the salt baths for a day and then moved to gentler tea baths.
Three days ago, after the salt and tea baths and frequent water changes, the fungus finally cleared. Yesterday he took some blood worms. Today when I checked on him, he swam up to the top of the bucket (where I floated a few plants for shade) and hungrily bit at the water. He ate a whole mouthful of worms and when I came back in later he had done a big poop and was swimming around.
So thank you to this forum, my little buddy seems to have recovered from his attack and, even though he's missing a few limbs, seems to be on the path to health again! Will post pictures soon.
Glad to hear he's doing well again. Good job.